Multicolor printing press



April 18, 1939. T. M. AVERY I I MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESS 14 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Deo. l2, 1936 N5@ kn mke E. mmh.

April 18, 1939. l T. M. AVERY 2,155,353

MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESS Filed Dec. 12. 1936 v 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 f e.. D D ,m mv W, o o o o m y o mw MW mm N e n KQ wwf@ M o 7 f WN s Y 3 llll IIIllI @u |L|1| NM I April 18, 1939. T. M. AVERY l MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESS Filed Dc. l2, 1936 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 18, 1939. T. M. AVERY MuLTlcoLoR PRINTING PnEss Filed Deo. 12, 193e 14'sheets-sheet 4 April 18, 1939. T. M. AVERY MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESS Filed Dec. l2, 1936` 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 kmm.

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MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESS April 18, '1939.

Filed Dec.I l2, 41936 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 M '71,6%lmms Apnl 18, 1939. T. M. AVERY MULT ICOLOR PRINTING PRESS Filed Dec. laf, 1936 14 sheets-sheet 7 April 18, 1939. T, M AVERY MULTIGOLOR `PRINTING PRESS 14 Sheets-Sheet B Filed Dec. 12, 1936 MULT ICOLOR PRINT ING PRES S Filed Dec.. 12, 1936 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 umm 21, Mn; 173mm April 18, 1939. T. M. AVERY 2,155,353

. MULTIcoLoR PRINTxNo PREs l Filed Dec. 12, 193e 14 sheets-sheet 1o Apn'l 18, 1939.

T. M. AVERY MULTICOLOR PRINTING PRESS Filed Dec. l2, 1936 14 Sheets-Sheet l1 .humm

April, 18, 1939*. T. M. AVERY 2,155,353

MULTICOLQR PRINTING PRESS l Filed Dec. 12, 1936 14 sheets-sheet l12 Km fr f f Wl.

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Filed Dec. 12, 1936 `14 sheets-sheet 1:5

Filed Dec. 12, 1936 14 Sheets-Sheet 14 Patented Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED s'rlifrrss,-

PATENT oFFlcE 'I'he present invention relates to improvements in printing presses, and more especially to multicolor presses of the class adapted to Iprint in a plurality of colors on a continuous travelling 5 web of paper or other material.

One of the primary objects ofthe invention is to provide a multi-color printing press which embodies a plurality of printing units each adapted to print in a given color u pon the travelling web, l each printing unit embodying inking mechanism to supply ink to the respective printingcylinder,

and means being provided whereby any one or more of the inking mechanisms may be' thrown out of operation.

Another object is to provide a printing press of this class wherein a plurality of printing cylinders are mounted to cooperate with the travelling web as it passes around an impression roller, means being provided for simultaneously movn -ing the printing cylinders into and out-of operative relation with the impression cylinder or the web thereon. y

Another object is to provide means for indi- 25 vidually adjusting the impression pressure proand the impression roller.l` 1

Another object is to'provide a multi-color printing press comprising an impression roller around 0 which the web to be printed passes, andvgroups of'printing cylinders arranged to print on thel web at opposite sides of the impression roller, and groups of inking mechanisms for the respective groups ofprinting cylinders mounted 35 so lthat they are movable away from the respective groups of printing cylinders to render them readily accessible for changing printing plates or other purposes and are movable as a group into printing relation with the respectivo o groups of printing cylinders.

Another object is to provide novel and improved inking mechanism for supplying ink to each printingcylinde'r, the inking mechanism comprising an inking roller and form rollers for supplying the ink therefrom to .the respectiveV printing cylinder, the form rollers having novell means Vfor mounting them whereby they are ad- ,instable in a direction toward and from the inking roller and also capable of being setin dif- 50 ferent positions around theaxis of the printing roller, the inking mechanismalso embodying'an ink fountain having a roll for' withdrawing ink therefrom, and a flexible blade mounted to co-v operate intimately with the periphery of said roll 5 and thereby govern the amount of ink withdrawn duced between the different printing cylinders thereby `ifor supply to the respective printing ,cylinder.

Another object is to provide a multi-color press embodying animpression roller laround which the web to be printed passes and printing cylinders -5 mounted aroundthe periphery of said roller'to print upon the web; and means for drawing the web from a roll or other supply and feeding itto the impression roller `and printing cylinders, thereby insuring a proper and uniform feed for the travelling web irrespective of the number 'of printing cylinders that may be in use. Another' object is to provide` a novel and improved means Ior rewinding the printed web into a roll, including a clutch which willoperate automatically to prevent unwinding of the rewind roll when the operation of the machine is interrupted or stopped.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel and improvedmeans foriapplying regis'- 20 tration means such as perforations to the web in predetermlned'relation vto the printed impresnovelty being pointed out more particularly in' 35 the claims at the end of this specication.

In the accompanying drawings: c l Figures l, 1a and 1b are side elevations o! the central portion and the endportions respectively of a multi-color printing press constructed in ac- 40 cordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is'an end elevation of lthe machine as viewed from the left in Fig.l la; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the upperpart of' the end portion of theV machine shownl in Fig. la, as viewed from the opposite side; Fig. 4 is 'a vertical section taken through the upper part of the central portion of the machine shown in Fig. l, illustrating a portion oi' the impression roller and cooperative printing cylin` A|50 ders, vand the draw rolls for feeding the web to the impression roller;

Fig.. 5 is a detailview, in top plan, of one of thewebguides; i o

Fig. 6 i's an elevation of lthe web guide shown l5 of the ratchet for operating the mechanism for moving the printing cylinders into vand out of 'cooperating relation with the impression cylinder;

Fig. 9 is a detail vertical section taken on the line 5-9 in Fig. 3, and on an enlarged scale, showing vthe clutch for preventing unwinding of the rewind roll;

Fig. l0 is a vertical section through said clutch, tarn on the une ln-ln mm. 9;

Fig.,11 is a vertical section on.an enlarged scale, taken on the line II--II in Fig. 1, showing the mechanism for shifting a group of the inking mechanisms into and out of cooperativa relation with the printing cylinders;

Fig. 12 is a detail vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line I2-I2 in Fig. 1,

showing the\clutch controlled driving means for one of the inking rollers and the( i'onri rollers` Hg. 16 is a detail section,on an enlarged scale,

of one-of the bearing brackets for the' ink distributing rollers;

1'1 is a. enen taken en` the une Vn n Iin Rg. 16;

Fig. 18 is a` detail seetiomn an enlarged scale,

taken on the line II-II in Fig. l5;

ng. 19 is a section taken on the une ls-iljs 'm Fis.' 18:

113.20 is a section taken onthe'nline 25-20 in su. 1a;

Fig. 21 isa section, on an' enlarged scale. taken on theiine 2I"2I in Fig.' 15: Fig. 22 is a detail vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 22-22 in Fig. 13; Fig. 23 is a side elevation of one of the printing or type cylinders and the inking mechanism therefor;

' Fig. 24 is a horizontal section, showing in top plan the printing mechanism shown in Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a vertical section taken through the central portion oi the machine and on an en-- laged scale, showing one of the printing or type cylinders in cooperation with the impression roller, and the inking mechanism i'or the printing or type cylinder:

Fig. 26 is a yvertical section through a portion oi' lthe machine on the line Ilin Fig. 25,

showing the ink transfer roll for one of the printing units:

Fig. 27 is a section on an enlarged scale, taken y on the line 21-21 in Fig. 26:

Fig. 28 is a vertical-section throush the ink on the-line 2.- in Fig. 24 and scale:

sss

section taken on the line 3I-3i `the-draw rolls;

gli.

avertical section, taken onthe" line ss A a detail section taken on the linesa "Fig, 32 is a section, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 32-32 in Fig. l, showing one of the eccentric mountings for on'e of the printing or type cylinders; Y

Fig. 33 is a vertical section taken on the line 5 33-33 in Fig. 32;

Fig. 34 isa section vtaken on the line 34--34 in Fig. 3, showing the rollers for punching registrav tion perforations in the web;

Fig. 35 isvasection on an enlarged scale, taken l0 l -on the line 35-35 in Fig. 34, showing details of the punch;

Fig. 36 is a vsection through the punch mounting, taken on the line 35-36 in Fig, 35; l Fig. 3'74 is a d etail perspective view, on an en- 15 larged scale, of one of the punch holders;

Fig. 38 is an enlarged detail view of oneof the punches;

Fig. 39 is a detail view (of the shaft for mount7 ing the web supply roll and the brake for con- 20 trolling the unwinding of such roll;

Fig. 40 is a detail viewv of the locking links fo Figs. 42 and 43 are detail perspective views of portions of the supporting and actuating/ means for one of the ink transfer rollers.

Similar parts are 'designated by the same ref- 30 e'rence characters in the diil'erent igllres.

The present invention provides a novel and improved multi-color printing press which is capable of operating rapidly and emciently to print i in diierent desired numbers of colors on -a con- 35 tinuous travelling web, the web being supplied from a supply roll and drawn therefrom by draw rolls and `ted by the latter tothe impression roller around which it passes and during which it is printed, after which the printed web is rewound n in a roll, ready to be used in a bag'machinefor making bags, or otherwise used. Means is provided for supplying a slip sheet to the rewind roll duringthe rewinding of the 4printed web to prevent transfer of ink from the printed face of 5 the web tothe back thereof. -The printing units v which print in different-colors on the web during its passage around the impression roller are so mounted that they may be renderedmeadily accessible for the changing'of printing plates or for 50 other purposes, and means is providedvior simultaneously moving all oi the printing or type cylinders into and out of printing` relation with the `impression roller whenev'er desired, and i'or ad- Justing the impression pressure between each 5;, printing or type cylinder and theimpression roller to insure impressions of good quality in the different colors, each printing-unit embodying novel and improved inking mechanism which insures eiiicient and uniform supply of ink to the respecso tive printing or type cylinder. The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings and-will be hereinafter dscribed in detail, but it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to the precise conc5 struction shown, since equivalent constructions are contemplated and such will be included within the scgpe ofthe claims.

Referring to thefacccmpanying ciras'vingsV i ansia-sos position on the base and comprising side members connected rigidly by a suitable number of tie or cross members, and an end frame 3 bolted or otherwise fixed on one end of the base and comprising side members rigidly connected by a suitable-number of tieA or other cross members, the base and frames being shown in Figs. 1, l1a and 1b.

'I'he central frame 2 supports a freely revoluble impression cylinder 5, this cylinder for example being supported by a shaft 6 the ends of which are mounted by roller bearings 1 in bearing housings 3, the latter being bolted or otherwise secured inthe side members of the frame 2, as shown in Fig. 7. 'I'he printing or type cylinders for printing the web, which may be a con-- tinuous strip of paper, as it passes around the impression roller, are mounted at suitable intervals around the circumference of the impression roller they being six in number in the present instance and adapted to print in six dierent colors on the web, these printing cylinders being designated I0 and being. supported at their ends in bearings on the side members of th relatively xed central frame 2.

According to the present invention, the printing or typel cylinders I0 are so mountedthat they may bel simultaneously moved into and out of cooperative relationwith the impression. roller.

`Accordingly, each printing cylinder l0, as shown-1v in detail in Figs. 32 and 33, has a shaft I| extending from each end thereof which is jour.

nailed in a bearing I2, and' each shaft I2, the outer periphery of which is eccentric to the axis of the shaft II, is journalled inl a bearing housing I3 which is bolted or otherwise fixed to the respective side member of the frame 2, and a crank I4 is fixed to the outer end of the eccentric bearing I2 by bolts I5 which extend pref;- erably through segmental slots I 6 in the crank and into the bearing I2 to permit-setting of the eccentric bearings I2. at the same angle onthe opposite ends of each printing cylinder, and it willbe understood that one of these cranks Il is provided for each end of each printing cylinder. By this arrangement, rotation of the eccentric bearings l2 at the ends of each printing cylinder will move such cylinder toward and from the impression roller. I'he impression roller and the printing cylinders have a driving connection which insures driving of the printing cylinders at the same surface speed as that of the impression roller, the shaft l at one end of the impression roller having agear 20 keyed or other- -wise fixed thereon, the pitch diameter of this gear being equal to the diameter oi' the impres- A of contachwith the impression roller without however. disengaging the-gears 2| froml the gear Means is provided. for simultaneously rotating the eccentrics I2 for all of the printing cylin- V ders and at both ends thereof, to withdraw" the printing cylinders which wlllcontact with the impression 1roller and thereby facilitate the threading of a new web or stripl of paper around the impression roller, and for returning the printing cylinders. toy operative positions with respect to the impression'roller. Such means 'comprises are mounted to rotate coaxially with the impression roller, 'these disks. which are located at opposite sides of the central frame 2 having hubs 26 thereon vwhich are mounted rotatably on short shafts 21, the latter being fixed in plates 28 and the latter being secured by screws 29 or other suitable means to the outer sides of the bearing housings 8 for the impression roller. Each of the cranks Il connected to the eccentric bearings for the'printing cylinders is pivctally connected to one end of a link 30 and the opposite end of each link is pivotally connected to a pin 3| secured in the respective disk 25, the pins 3| 4being' spaced circumferentially of the respective disk 25 to vvconform with the circumferential spacing of the printing cylinders around the periphery of the impression roller, and the cranks I4 being so st in relation to the eccentric bearings I2 for the different printing cylinders-that when the disks 25 at opposite sides'ofthe press arerotated in one direction, all of. the printing cylinders of the ,set'will be simultaneously'moved outwardly or away from the impression roller so as to permit a strip of paper or other continuous web to be threaded around the impression roller and between it and the printing cylinders, and when the disks 25 are rotated'in the opposite direction, all of the printing cylinders of the set will be moved 'inwardly into printing relation with the impression roller. Preferably, a set screw 35 is threaded into each of the cranks I4 and arranged to bear onl or come to rest against a stop 36 provided on the respective side member of the frame insure the proper printing pressure for the different printing cylinders.

'Ihe disks 25 which thus simultaneously set the printing cylinders intoor out of cooperative relation with the impression roller, th'e preferably rotated, whenever desired, b y a pair 'of pinions 31 s which are journalled to revolve on shafts 38 carried by brackets 33,' the latte'r being bolted or otherwise fixed to the outer sides of the respective side members of the frame 2. The pinions 31 mesh with gear segments lll formed onv the peripheries of the vdisks 25 so that rotation of said y pinions will rotate the respective disks, and a cross shaft 4| is journalledat its ends in the I bearing brackets 39', this shaft having pinions '42 fixed on Vitsends and lmeshing with the Vpinions .31. The shaft 4| and the pinions thereon thus constitute a common operating means for rotating both-disks-25 in unison, the disks beingv connected through the shaft Il so that they will be rotated through an equal angle whenever the shaft 4| is rotated, and said shaft will maintain the disks I25 in .correspondingangular relationship, andhence both ends' of each printingcyl- Inder will be` moved .anj equal distance toward. and .fromtheimpression roller when the shaft Il is rotaid.v Equal printing pressure between the .impression roller and the `printing cylinders throughout' their lengths will be therebyinsured. The-shaft 4| may be convenientlyrotated to move the printing cylinders into and out of operative relaticnwith theimpression roller, by a ratchet which may beapplied to one end of the shaft 4|.

This ratchet, whichis preferably of the reversible type, may be of the construction shown in Fig. 8, it comprising a toothed wheel Il fixed on an end of the shaft Il, a lever I5 mounted on the shaft 4i to swing about it as a center, a dog 45 having a pair of teeth 41 thereon, `one or the other of which may engage the teeth in the ratchet wheel I4. and a spring plunger 45 the stem of which is pivoted at 45 to the lever 45 and the point of which is shiftable toone or the other end of a recess 50 in the rear side of the dog 48 when the.

such tooth into engagement with the ratchet wheel, and by swinging the lever 45 to and. fro about the shaft 4i as a center, the dog l5 will lrotate said shaft in onev direction. By reversing the position of the dog 46, to and fro swinging of the lever l5 will rotate the shaft 4l in the opposite direction. A handle 58 may be fitted into the lever 45 for operating it. Operation of theratchet device as just described will rotate the shaft 4i 'in the appropriate direction to rotate the disks 25 to simultaneously move the printing cylinders into or out of operative relation with the-impression roller, and the printing cylinders are locked either in or. out of operative relation with the impression roller preferably by a nut 5I which is screw-threaded on the shaft 3l on which the pinion 31 is rotatable, the

nut Il being fixed to a crank Il by means of which` it may be rotated either ina direction to clamp thepinion 31 against its supporting bracket Il and thereby lock the disks 25 in any desired set position, or to unclamp the respective' pinion 31 and thereby permit rotation of the shaft li to shift the printing cylinders into or out of operative positions.

'I'he impression roller, and also the printing cylinders geared thereto, are driven through a gear Il (Fig. 25) which is mounted revolubly on a journal 5i supported in a bracket 52 which is bolted or otherwise fixed to one of the side memgear Il fixed on the shaft of the impression roller (Fig. '1) and meshing with a pinion 53 which is.

xed on a cross shaft ll, the latter being journailed in suitable bearings 55 in the side members of the base i and having a bevel gear v56 fixed on one end thereof. This bevel gear meshes with a bevel gear 51 fixed on a longitudinal shaft t8 which extends substantially throughout the length of the base at one sidethereof. it being supported at'suitable intervals by bearings tt, the shaft constituting the main vdrive shaft for the press and being driven by an-oil or other uid pressure motor 1I of any suitable construc- The printing cylinders are provided with inking mechanisms, each printing cylinder and its inking mechanism constituting a printing unit,

itbeingunderstoodthat each printing unit is' adapted to print ina different color. on the continuous stripofpaperorotherwebasitpasses aroundtheimpressio'nroll Aeeordingtothe present invention, the mechanisms for the printing cylinders are so' mounted that may beretracted or withdrawn therefrom and sacaste i purposes. Preferably and as shown in the pres# l ent instance, the inking mechanisms are mounted in groups, one group of inking mechanisms being provided for the group of printing cylinders at each sideof the impression roller, and the respective groups of inking mechanisms are mounted in frames which are shiftable on the base so as to carry the respective groups of inking mechanisms into and outofiope'rative relation with ,thel rcframes are shiftable longitudinally on the base I, these shiftable frames each comprising side members connected rigidly by a suitable number of ties or cross members and these frames resting on series of rollers 1'1 which are interposed between the upper edges of the side members of the base i and the lower edges of the respective frames, the rollers being revolubly mounted on bolts 1B which extend between and connect parallel bars 19, theseA bars overlapping the vertical sides of the 'side' members of the base and the side members ofthe frames 15 and 16 and thus preventing relative lateral displacement thereof.

Each of the frames 15 and 16 may be shifted I longitudinally on the base I to carry the inking -mechanisms thereon into and out of operative relation with the respective groups of printing cylinders, by racks Bil which are bolted or otherwise flxed'to the inner sides of the base beneath the respective frames 15 and 15, each of the shiftable frames 15 and 15 having a cross shaft 8| journalled in its side-members as shown in Fig. 11,`

this crow shafthaving pinions l2. fixed thereon and meshing with' the respective racks 8l, and each of these shiftable frames has a cross shaft u joumalled in its side members, this shaft having a pinion 54 fixed thereon and with a larger gear l5 xed on the shaft Il.r One it may be rotated; rotation of the shaft 53 beingy transmitted through the reduction gearing I4 and 55 to the 'shaft Il, causing the pinions 82 on the latter shaft to roll on the racks 5I and thereby shift the respective frame longitudinally of the base. A further gear reduction is provided l which comprises a relatively large gear l1 fixed on the shaft Il and meshing with'l a relatively. small pinion .I ilxed on a shaft 55 Journalled inwhereas rotation of the shaft 53 by a crank applied to its squared portion enables the shiftable frame to be shifted rapidly. Means is'provided for locking the shiftable frames 15 and 10 whentheinking thereon have been brought inta operative relation with the respective groups of printing' cylinders. For -thisipurpose, the lower inner end of the frame 1I.' at mn side thereof, has a bracket ll ilxed thereto. each bracket having av circular a aperture Il therein and a slot I1 of reducedwidth ing flattened portions 99 thereon is mounted rotatably in the adjacent portion of the central relativelyxed frame 2, this shaft having a squared or angular end |00 thereon whch projects from' slots 91 in the brackets 95, the frame 15 is un-v locked and may -be moved away from the central frameV 2 or returned to operative relation therewith, and by rotating the shaft 98 through a onequarter turn after the flattened portions thereon vhave been brought into the'circular portions 96 in the brackets 95, the shaft 98 will Vlock the frame 15 to the central frame 2, thereby maintaining the inking mechanisms on this frame in operative relation with the respective group of printing cylinders. An arm |0| (Fig. 23) may be xed on the shaft 98 and arranged to cooperate with a stop |02 or with a portion of the central frame 2, when swung in one or the other direction, thereby limiting the rotation of the shaft 98 to a quarter revolution. The shiftable frameV 16 is provided at opposite sides with brackets 95' and a shaft 96' similar to the brackets 95 and shaft 98, for locking or unlocking the lower inner end of the frame 16 with respect to the central frame 2. The upper portion of theshiftable frame 15 is locked with respect to the relativelyflxed central frame 2 by brackets |05 xed to its respective Aside members and having circular recesses |06 therein and slots |01 of reduced width leading thereto, and by a shaft |08 which is mounted rotatably in brackets |09 which are bolted or .otherwise rigidly fixed to the tops of the side members of the frame 2, the shaft I 08 l.having flattened portions ||0 adapted and arranged, when the shaft |08 is rotated into one position, to enter or pass out of the slot |01 and circular recess |06 and, while in the recess |06 and rotated into an other position, to lock the upper portion of the frame 15 to the brackets |09, the saft |06 being operative bya crank that may be applied to one end thereof. The upper portion of the shiftable frame 16 may be locked and unlocked with respect to the central relatively xed frame 2 by a pair of links which are xed at one end to a sleeve H2 which is pivoted to swing upon a shaft or tie member ||3 which extends between the side members of the 'frame 16, the other ends ofv '-the links being Provided with downwardly opening slots I4 which may be lowered upon and brought into straddling relation with atie rod ||5 which connects the brackets |09 when the frame 16 is in its operative relation with the vcentral'frame 2,' thereby locking the frame 16 in such relation. Unlocking of the links is aci complished by merely swinging them upwardly, thus disengaging them from the tie rod ||5, these links being provided with handles ||6 projecting to opposite sides of the machine for facilitating der l0 is the same for all of the printing units soA that illustration and description of one of'thes'e mechanismsis deemed suiiicient for all of them.

Such inking mechanism, which is shown more.

particularly in Figs. 13 to 30 inclusive, corresponds with the inking mechanism for the lower- `most unit or printing cy1inderv|0 at the left hand side of Fig. l. As shown more particularly in Fig. 25, such inking mechanism comprises an ink fountain |20 and cooperative roller |2| for removing ink therefrom, the fountain containing an ordinary letter press or other suitable ink of the desired color which the respective unit is to print, a series of inking rollers |22, |23, |24, |25 and |26, an ink transfer roller |21 reciprocable between the rollers |2| and |22 and operative to transfer ink from the former to the latter, ink distributing rollers |28, |29, |30, |3|, |32, |33 and |34 for conducting the ink between and distributing it on the rollers, and pairs of form rollers |35 and |36 for applying ink from the.

respective inking rollers |25 and |26 to the printing or type cylinder I0.

The ink fountain |20, as shown more particularly in Figs. 28, 29 and 30, comprises a tray-like receptacle, it being supported in fixed positionA between the side members of the respective frame by a suitable bracket |31 and having a hinged or other suitable lid |38 for closing it. The roller |2| is revolubly mounted in bearings |39 at'the ends of the fountain and closes a Side thereof,

this roller being exposed at its inner sideto the ink contained in the fountain so that its .periphery will be coated therewith. A flexible plate 40, of thin steel or other flexible material, is'mounted in the bottom of the ink fountain., it being secured thereto along one edge by screws |4|, this plate' extending throughout the width oi' the fountain and the roller |2|, and the other or free edge of this plate engages the lower side of the periphery of the roller |2|. In order to bring the free edge of this plate into conformity with the periphery of the roller |2 and compensate for any irregularities therein, and thus secure intimate contactr between this plate and the periphery of this roller and thereby insure distribution of ink uniformly over the periphery of this roller and throughout its length, a row of holes |42 are bored upwardly` through the bottom of the ink fountain to the roller 2| by appropriate individual adjustment of the screws |44, so Vthat as the roller |2| rotates 'in an anti-clockwise direction inFig. 28, a uniform and predetermined amount of ink will be removed by its periphery from the ink fountain. The roller I2 lis preferably related intermittently by a crank |45'iixed to the outer end of a shaft .|46, the latter being journalled in a bearing |41 fixed to the adjacent side member of the frame and having a clutch member |43 provided with' ratchet teeth on its inner face splined thereon, and a spring |49 acts on the ratchet clutch member |46 to press it yieldingly against a companion ratchet clutch member |50. fixed to the adjacent end of the shaft of the-roller 2|, as shown in Fig. 24.' The crank |45V '(Flg. 23); is swung to and' fro during the operation of the press, by a' rod I5| which pivotally connects thiscrank to a crank pin |52 secured to a crank disk |53. this quence the extent-of swing of-the crank .|45 and Y extent of rotation of the roller |2| at each actuvthe respective frame, and the crank disk |53 is driven by a gear |56 fixed thereto and by driving lever |51 of any usual or well known construc-A tion, may be mounted on the end of the shaft of this rolle! Opposite to that to which the clutch member |50 is xed, as shown in Fig. 24.

The roller 21 which picks up ink from the roller |2| and transfers it to the roller |22, has its shaft- |60 journalled in bearings |6| on arms |62 which are mounted loosely or rotatably on a rock shaft |63, as shown more particularly'in Figs. 26 and 27. This rock shaft is journalled in bearings |68 and |69 in the side members of the respective shifting frame and has a crank |10 clamped or otherwise fixed to its outer end, this crank having a radial slot |1| therein. The arms |62 are operatively connected to the shaft |63 by springs |12, each of these springs having one end connected to a respective arm |62 and the other end connected to a collar |13 which is clamped or otherwise adjustably fixed to the shaft |63. Preferably and as shown, the ends of the springs |12 which engage the collars |13 are outturned and engageable in one or another of, a series of apertures |14 which are spaced circumferentially on these collars, thereby enabling the power of these springs to be adjusted. The shaft 63 has an arm |15 clamped or otherwise xed thereto and a tension spring |16 is attached to one end of this arm, its other end being attached to a suitable part of the respective shifting frame. The springl |16 acts to move the transfer roller |21 into yielding engagement with the roller |22 when the shaft |63 is rocked in one direction, and the springs |12 act to press the transfer roller |21 into yielding engagement with the roller |2| when the shaft |63 is rocked in the other direction. The outer sides of the arms |62 and the inner sides of the collars |13 are provided with jaws |11 and |11a4 which permit a limited amount of lost motion between the -shaft |63 and the arms |62 when the roller |21 contacts with the roller 12|, thereby allowing the springs |22 to press the roller |21 against the roller |2| as the rotation of the shaft |63 continues to a small extent, these .laws however engaging one another and retracting the roller |21 from' the roller |2| when the `shaft |63 is rocked in a dlrection to carry the roller |21 into engagement with the roller |22, the contact of the roller |21 with the roller |22 being a yielding one under the tension of the spring |16. 'Ihe shaft |63 is rocked to and fro during the operation of the press, by a rod |80 which is pivotally connected at-one end by a crank pin |8| to the crank arm |10 which is secured in the slot |1| therein, the other end of the rod |80 carrying a roller |82 which rides on the periphery of a cam |83 having inner and outer concentric 'portions whereby the yrod |80 will be reciprocated as this cam rotates,

the cam |83 being fixed on the shaft |84 of the inking roller |24. The roller carryingjend of the rod |80 is supported in operative relation with vthe cam |83 by a link |85 which is pivotally connected at its lower end to the shaft |86 for the roller and is pivotally connected. at its upper end to the adjacent side member of the respective shifting frame by a pivotpin |81. The tension spring |16 holds the roller |22 in contact with the inking rollers |25 and |26.

gears thus provided for the series of inking rollers Iinto different positions on the base.

rocking movements of the shaft |63 as herein.

before described. Adjustment ofv the crank pin |8| in the radial slot |1| of the cranky arm |10 serves to adjust the extent of the rocking movements of the shaft |63. l A

The various rollers comprising the .inking mechanism, excepting the form rollers and |36 and the distributing rollers, are driven at equal surface speed by a suitable train of gearing. As shown in the present instance, the shaft |88 of the roller |22 has a gear. |90 fixed thereon, this gear meshing with a' relatively wide idler gear |9| which i's mounted on a shaft |92 supported on the adjacent side member of the re,-

with a gear |93 which is fixed on the shaft |94 of the inking roller |23, the gear |93 meshes with the gear |56 which drives the crank disk |53, the gear 56 meshes with a gear |95 which is fixed to the shaft |84 of the inking roller |24 and on which the cam |83 is fixed, and the gear |95v and |91 in turn mesh with gears 200 and 20|.

fixed on the shafts 202 and 203 respectively of The train of are `of appropriate sizes to cause these rollers to revolve at equal surface speed. The shaft |88 sor of the inking roller |22 of each of the inking mechanisms is utilized as the main drive for these inking mechanisms, but for each of the intermediate inking mechanisms at the right hand it a. bevel gear 204' for driving the respective shaft |88, and also a bevel gear 204a for driving it. The shafts |88` are each provided with a bevel gear 205 for driving it and itsV respective inking mechanism, the gears 204 on the short shafts 204 meshing with the gears 205 for driving the respective inking mechanisms of the intermediate printing` units. The groups of inking mechanisms on the shiftable frames 15 and 16 are driven by vertical shafts 2|0.and 2|| which are mounted in upright position in suitable bearing housings 2 Zand 2|3 on the sides of these frames. The lower end of each of these vertical shafts is operatively connected to the longitudinal main drive shaft 68 by a bevel gear 2|4 fixed thereon and meshing with a bevel gear 2|5, the latter being splined on they longitudinal main shaft 68 by a key 2|6 which is slidable in a keyway2|1 in the main longitudinal shaft so that these vertical. shafts will be maintained in driving relation with the main longitudinal shaft although the shiftable frames 15 and 16 may be shifted Means is provided for connecting and disconnecting each of these vertical shafts with respect to any one or another of the inking mechanisms so that the inking mechanism of any printing unit not in use may remain idle. As shown in the present instance, a bevel gear 218 is provided to mesh with each of the bevel gears 204a or 205 for driving each inking mechanism from the respective vertical shaft, this bevel gear being loosely mounted on the vertical shaft but capable of being A connected therewith by a sliding jaw clutch 2|8 which is splined on the vertical shaft, as shown in Fig. 12. Each of these jaw clutchesmay be shifted to connect the respective be'vel gear 2| 8 

